One good idea is to look for signal clusters. An occasional giggle may be just a giggle. But the more signs of flirting you notice, the more likely it is an attraction is brewing!

There are also specific signs of flirting that appear only when two people are attracted to each other...and signs of friendliness that appear only when they're not.

In addition, you should pay attention to signs of disinterest. Although no one wants to see these, watching out for them can help you avoid the embarrassment of pursuing the wrong person.

Nice Girls Nice Guys is here to clear up the confusion between signs of flirting and friendliness, interest and disinterest.

We'll start with a list of signals you can observe in anyone who's being friendly. These signs indicate that someone likes you but may or may not want to be more than friends.

Then we'll move on to specific signs of flirting. These are signals that usually imply someone is interested in you romantically.

Next, we'll tackle those dreaded signs of rejection--and hopefully you won't see too many of them!

Finally, we'll wrap up with some neutral signs, those little hints you may be reading too much into.

Friendly Signs

1. Engaging in Real Conversation This is common to both signs of friendliness and signs of flirting. It includes asking personal questions, revealing personal information, sharing opinions, and generally trying to keep the conversation going through questions and answers that invite a response.

2. Talking FreelyWhen someone likes you, the conversation will flow. He or she will talk freely and energetically with few pauses.

3. Showing WarmthSomeone who's trying to be nice will speak in a warm voice and empathize with you.

4. Showing InterestA friendly person will show interest by paying attention to what you say and encouraging you with replies like "mm-hm" and "uh-huh."

5. LaughingA friendly person may laugh more than usual.

Flirting Signs

1. Advertising AvailabilityThis is one of the signs of flirting that's easiest to spot. When a man goes out of his way to mention that he's single or a woman says she has no plans for Friday night, that's your cue to flirt back.

2. Comparing InterestsIn
Relationship Compatibility,
we saw how important it is for couples to be similar. So when someone is attracted to you, he or she may try to find out which interests you have in common and emphasize how much you're alike.

3. JokingInterestingly, this isn't just a sign of general friendliness. It's one of the specific signs of flirting. People tend to show off their wit most when they want to impress.

4. ComplimentingThis is another of those signs of flirting that clearly separates friends from admirers. Only the latter will dish out lots of praise.

5. Offering or Asking for HelpMen tend to offer, women tend to ask. An attentive man who keeps opening doors and holding chairs for a girl probably isn't just being friendly. The same goes for a woman who asks a guy to get her a drink or help her with her coat.

6. Using "We"Someone who likes you as more than a friend may use a lot of "we" statements about the two of you. This is one of those subtle signs of flirting, so listen closely for it. An interested person might say, "We should go outside," "We need to get drinks," "We're on the same page," and so on.

7. Talking IntimatelyA low, confidential tone of voice that's meant for your ears only is one of the signs of flirting. In contrast, someone who is just being friendly may actually pitch the voice higher.

8. Requesting Contact InfoThis has to be one of the most blatant signs of flirting yet. By the time someone asks for your number, you usually don't have to be told that he or she is into you. But just so we're clear--if someone wants to contact you again, it's safe to assume he or she isn't just looking for a new friend.

Rejection Signs

1. Advertising UnavailabilityIf someone mentions his or her mate, no one should have to tell you it's game over.

2. DisagreeingDisagreement is a useful tool for gauging signs of flirting. While someone who's interested will try to find similarities between you, someone who isn't will freely express differences.

3. Keeping It BriefIn contrast to signs of flirting, signs of rejection include efforts to keep the conversation short. People who aren't into it may give brief, monosyllabic answers that don't invite further discussion. They probably won't ask you questions in return or make an effort to hold up their end of the conversation.

4. Giving the Silent TreatmentLikewise, somoene who's not interested may lapse into silence or even ignore what you say.

5. Refusing to HelpOffering to help is one of the top signs of flirting. So you can probably guess that refusing to help is one of the top signs of rejection! Someone who blatantly doesn't do the things that common courtesy demands is sending a message that he or she doesn't care. Be cautious when interpreting this signal, though, especially if you're a woman. Standards of etiquette vary from person to person, and men in particular may be wary of offending a woman by offering help.

6. Rejecting an InvitationThere's no denying that someone who refuses to see you again or at least give out contact information just isn't into you. Don't believe excuses about why he or she "can't" give you a number or is "swamped at work right now." Someone who's interested will find a way to make it happen even if it means getting in touch through friends or grabbing a few minutes to meet up on a lunch break.

Neutral Signs

1. Making Small TalkTalking about light, superficial topics is sometimes seen as a sign of boredom or detachment. Actually, it doesn't mean much at all. It's awesome when two people hit it off well enough to delve right into their deepest secrets, but that's not the norm. If someone chats with you about general topics, that doesn't mean he or she isn't interested. It's something you shouldn't read into either way.

2. Following the ConversationWhen someone sums up what you said or asks you to repeat yourself, it can seem like he or she is following the discussion closely. Maybe that's why this is sometimes interpreted as one of the signs of flirting. In reality, it doesn't necessarily mean that your chatting partner has more than a passing interest.

3. Taking a RaincheckIf a person says yes to a date but can't meet up right away, don't assume he or she is making excuses. Sometimes people have legitimate obstacles in the way. What's important is that someone says yes to your invitation! Give him or her a chance to follow through before writing off the one who could be your soul mate.

Moving On

Now that you know the signs of flirting, you'll have a big advantage when chatting with that cute stranger who's caught your eye!

But landing a date takes more than just keeping your eyes peeled for signs of flirting. You have to know how to flirt back in a way that's natural and comfortable for you. Check out these
flirting tips
to learn how!